YWAM/U OF N FIELD ASSIGNMENT/OUTREACH 

POLICY AND PROCEDURE 

  

POLICY STATEMENT: 

A U of N Field Assignment must have clearly stated training goals and objectives in which practical experience is the primary, though not the only, source of learning. A Field Assignment is designed to enable students to exercise newly learned knowledge and skills in a supervised setting, usually within a team context, and with a concentrated missions or ministry focus. Field Assignments are to be structured so that one-to-one staff and student interaction is a regular activity. 

An approved degree programme must include at least two field assignments/internships (16-24 weeks) for the Associate's and Master's degrees and at least three field assignments/ internships (24-36 weeks) for the Bachelor's degree. 

DTS/CDTS field assignments are to be a minimum duration of 8 (but preferably 12) full learning weeks. Post-DTSCDTS field assignments may be registered for 1-12 full learning weeks.   

POLICY PURPOSE: 

A U of N Field Assignment is primarily designed to reflect YWAM/U of N's founding principle of " learning by doing" in addition to servanthood, team work and developing cross-cultural understanding and skills. It is an expression of YWAM/U of N's calling to GO into all the world, to reach the lost and to impact the different spheres of society at large with the Gospel as it is proclaimed and demonstrated through the lives of students and staff. A students' educational learning process is significantly accelerated, and deepened, as they further experience the integration of "learning" and "doing" in the Field Assignment. Regular one-to-one interaction between staff and student serves not only to facilitate feedback, assessment and ongoing evaluation, but also the recognition and development of diverse gifts within each student. 

PROCEDURE: 

  1. To receive U of N credit a Field Assignment is to be documented on a FORM A and submitted for registration approval as instructed on the FORM A. 
  2. To ensure that a U of N Field Assignment has a more quality, focused and integrated approach to the learning process, the Field Assignment Leader is to give careful thought and consideration to plan appropriately for each week to be a full learning week.

Some examples of Learning Activities and Resource Materials to aid in the learning process and complement the primary ministry focus for the field assignment/outreach: 

  • Reading and reporting on appropriate materials pertaining to the people, city, region, etc. of the outreach location: i.e. cultural, historical, evangelism and ministry strategies etc. Typically, this would be done two or three times, in preparation for and also during the outreach. 
  • Talks by qualified speakers to the outreach teams: i.e. cultural orientation talks or specific ministry training sessions in person, by tape or video. Typically at least two times a month. 
  • Panels or round table talks in which students discuss things pertaining to the outreach like cross-cultural living/learning experiences, current events, specific scriptures, etc. or the presentation of materials for discussion such as: newspaper clippings, articles, books, etc. which are appropriate to the outreach. Typically, this would be done once a month. 
  • A journal or log in which a record is kept of daily personal experiences, illustrating principles learned, new challenges, steps in personal growth, etc. 

Note: You can be creative! If the students would prefer to learn by writing/analyzing a play or a song, doing oral interviews, making a video, doing a scientific experiment or survey, or other creative alternatives, it is not only acceptable but encouraged. We greatly value personal initiative and original thinking. 

  1. Regular weekly, or bi-weekly, one-to-one meetings between staff & students are to be planned for feedback, assessment and ongoing evaluation. 
  2. Grading: Form C-2 should be explained and given to each outreach leader or other person responsible for assigning grades. The necessary grading on each student must be completed and sent to the appropriate Records Center within 48 hours after the end of the course. 
  3. For students who receive Incomplete or Withdrawal, please refer to the policy in the current U of N Catalogue. 
  4. All schools that include both a lecture phase and a field assignment are considered to be a necessary unified course. The field assignment must be completed in these connected courses. If a student is unable to immediately complete the attached field assignment, they are given two years to do the field assignment. In special hardship cases, if the student is unable to complete the field assignment within two years, they may appeal for an extension to the International College/Faculty Dean or Centre Director. 
  5. Failures in post-DTS/CDTS courses: 
  • If a student fails the lecture phase of any course, they cannot go on to attend the corresponding field assignment/outreach, since the prerequisite has not been met. 
  • If a student satisfactorily completes the lecture course but fails the field assignment course, the student must repeat the field assignment and satisfactorily complete it before receiving credit for the field assignment. In such a case, credit for the lecture course will be deferred until the field assignment course is satisfactorily completed. 

REGARDING DTS/CDTS ONLY: 

  1. The DTS/CDTS is to contain a minimum of 8 Field Assignment/Outreach weeks throughout the total course and is to be carried forth in accordance with the guidelines defined in the U of N Reference Guide document entitled "YWAM/U of N Field Assignment-Outreach Policy and Procedure". The primary emphasis of the DT/CDTSS outreach is to be evangelism, not only intercession or physical work and is to include a minimum of 30 hours per week of ministry activity serving people outside of the team. Ministry strategies are to come out of prayer. The majority of ministry activity is to involve connecting with people with the aim of facilitating them becoming followers of Jesus. (evangelism) The outreach in to include a minimum of 15 hours per week of other structured learning activities such as communication, team building, ministry debriefing, feedback, sharing of needs, prayer for individuals, ministry prep including at least 3 hours of intercession, and 3 times of worship as a team (God focused time) that is spread throughout each week of the outreach. We should endeavor also to expose our students to the three aspects of the ministry calling of YWAM which includes Mercy Ministries. There should be a positive, cross-cultural evangelistic experience, so that each one sees fruit. We want the students to see missions in action, and to like missions. As well, the outreach weeks should be a conscious "putting into practice" of the teaching content throughout the DTS/CDTS. Outreach leaders should be constantly helping the students see how to apply the teaching to their lives and ministry. (i.e. How does the Father Heart of God apply in this outreach situation? What about the application of spiritual warfare, giving up rights, relationships, the Word etc.) Also see 'DTS Best Practice Document' www.ywamdtscentre.com 
  2. DTS/CDTS Grades and Credits: Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grades for pass/fail courses are given for each lecture and field assignment course separately. However, because the lecture phase and field assignment phase are linked together as a complete course unit, a deferred grade (T) is given for the satisfactorily completed lecture phase until the field assignment is also satisfactorily completed. Upon satisfactorily completing the field assignment, both course grades will be permanently recorded. 
  3. Students must satisfactorily complete both the DTS/CDTS lecture and DTS/CDTS field assignment courses before taking any other U of N courses for credit. 
  • Deferral Policy : In rare instances it may be appropriate that a person who has completed the lecture course of the DTS/CDTS after December 31, 1991 may be allowed to temporarily defer their DTS/CDTS outreach for a period up to 24 months for reasons of health, personal/family emergency, leave of absence and other timing issues such as schooling for children, or other extenuating circumstances. 
  • Deferral Procedure : Any deferrals must be approved under the following conditions:
    • they obtain a written recommendation from their DTS/CDTS school leader/Director to have their outreach deferred, and 
    • the joint recommendation is approved by the local YWAM base Director and Council. 

Specific approvals required to accomplish the deferral under this provision may vary depending upon the structure at each local base. However, the principle of a check and balance procedure which incorporates the DTS/CDTS school leader and culminates with the approval of the local YWAM base council should be followed. 

  • Deferral Extension (for schools taken after December 31, 1991): In the event that the outreach is not completed within the two year time frame allowed, the person(s) would have to retake the DTS/CDTS lecture phase unless permission was received from their DTS/CDTS school leader and the DTS/CDTS Director for an extension of time to complete the outreach, not to exceed an additional 6 month period of time. 
  • Deferral Exception : If a person completed their DTS/CDTS lecture phase prior to December 31, 1991 without completing the field assignment/outreach phase, they will be required to complete a YWAM DTS/CDTS field assignment/outreach before continuing onto other U of N schools. This provision is without time limitations for schools taken prior to December 31, 1991 . 
  1. Student Evaluation: is REQUIRED in the DTS/CDTS. 
  • All DTS/CDTS students should be informed during some aspect of the application and acceptance process of the school, and at the beginning of the school, of the criteria that will be used to evaluate them for satisfactory or un-satisfactory completion of the DTS/CDTS lecture and field assignment/outreach phase. Why? Because a school leader/staff can only evaluate a student based on the criteria that has been previously communicated to the student. 
  • If, upon evaluation of the student by the school leader/staff, a student is given a satisfactory completion ('S' Grade) on the DTS/CDTS lecture phase (IDS 701) then the school leader MUST allow the student to go on to the outreach phase (IDS 702). Why? Because the student met the ONLY PRE-REQUISITE for a DTS/CDTS outreach which is the satisfactory completion of the DTS/CDTS lecture phase. 
  • The ONLY exception to point 'b' is an emergency (such as extreme illness, death in the family etc.) that would prevent the student from going on the school's outreach. If that is the case, the outreach for the individual student can be TEMPORARILY DEFERRED and the student would have a MAXIMUM period of two years in which to complete their DTS/CDTS outreach. In such a case, out of commitment to the student, the school/base leader should also be willing to offer a way for the student to complete the outreach requirement with a subsequent school at the same base, under conditions agreed upon by the future school/leader. Why? To insure the optimum continuity of relationships, learning, growth and context for the student's discipleship training. In such a case however, the student is not required to complete the DTS/CDTS outreach at the same base but rather is highly encouraged to do so. 
  • If, upon evaluation of the student by the school leader/staff, the student is deemed NOT to have met the criteria for satisfactory completion of the DTS/CDTS lecture phase, then the student is to be given a 'U' grade for failing the lecture phase and the student CANNOT go on to the outreach phase. The student must also, of course, be informed of the grade and subsequent implication. Why? Because the student has NOT MET the ONLY PRE-REQUISITE for a DTS/CDTS outreach which is the SATISFACTORY completion of the DTS/CDTS lecture phase. 
  • If a student receives a 'U' grade for the lecture phase, the student is required to REPEAT the lecture phase satisfactorily ('S' Grade) BEFORE they can be allowed to continue on to the outreach phase of a DTS/CDTS. 
  • If a student receives an 'S' grade for the satisfactory completion of the lecture phase and then goes on the outreach phase but gets a 'U' grade for failing the outreach, the student must repeat both the lecture phase and the outreach phase satisfactorily. Why? Because the DTS/CDTS is a connected course, and failure to complete the outreach satisfactorily reveals an aspect of inadequate discipleship. This might include possibly the student's inability or unwillingness to embrace and/or respond to:
    • Biblical teaching, 
    • cooperate with the Holy Spirit in making personal application of the teaching to his life, 
    • walk that truth out in the context of relationships and 
    • bring that truth into daily action within the DTS/CDTS outreach phase. 

In the case where a student has to repeat the DTS/CDTS lecture and/or both the lecture and outreach phases, out of commitment to the student, the school/base leader should be willing to offer a way for the student to complete the lecture and/or lecture and outreach requirement with a subsequent school at the same base, under conditions agreed upon by the future school/leader. Why? To insure the optimum continuity of relationships, learning, growth and context for the students discipleship training. However, this is NOT required. 

Note: When a student desires to repeat a failed DTS/CDTS, many operating locations choose to encourage the student by charging them only for room and board, and not for course tuition. 

  1. No other school field assignment will qualify as a substitute or equivalent for the DTS/CDTS field assignment.